Opinion

Likelihood of voter fraud is minute

Posted June 02, 2012 5:00 am

In rebuttal to a letter on May 24 about photo ID for voting. A 2007 Brennan Center for Justice Report titled “The Truth About Voter Fraud” found that it is more likely that an individual will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls. So, while I agree with the writer that fraud is wrong, the fact is that there is practically no voter fraud.

In Illinois we have a population of roughly 13 million. A 2009 Homeland Security study estimated there are 540,000 illegal immigrants in Illinois. Some people say that illegal immigrants are scared to try to vote in fear of deportation. According to national weather statistics, an individual has an estimated 1 in 775,000 chance per year of being struck by lightning. My estimated total of voter fraud in Illinois in one year: 17.5 votes.

Driving a car or flying in a plane is a privilege some of our residents might never experience. Voting is a right that should not be blocked by insidious regulations.

Kent Wachlin

Arlington Heights

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.